It’s official, former Bald Mountain State Recreation Area property at Scripps and Lapeer Roads now belongs to developer Mike Weger.
The state completed a land exchange with Weger last week, trading 90.9 acres of state land in Orion Township for Weger’s property, 82.7 acres located in Oakland and Addison Townships along Indian Lake.
Weger has already placed ‘No Trespassing? signs on the former state property, and the deeds for both parcels involved were transferred on April 1.
Orion Township officials battled against the state for several years to try to stop the land swap, which they say puts the former Bald Mountain property at risk for future development.
Weger has said he plans to abide by the recreation zoning already on the property.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources hoped to obtain Weger’s property because it is adjacent to already existing Bald Mountain property and would provide access to Indian Lake.
The DNR plans to adjust the park’s boundary to include the new property at an upcoming meeting and they will decide whether or not to add picnic areas and a boat launch.
Weger’s former property is wooded and includes wetlands and plant life that the DNR said would make a great addition to Bald Mountain.